Morning Jules,

Was just wondering how you got on when you visited your Mum this week, and also how your daughter got on at hospital?  I do hope things are not too stressful for you and that you can try and have a relaxing weekend.

I'm waiting for my eldest to come home, he has spent somewhat of Freshers sleeping on fellow pupils floors after social events - latest was a toga party last night!  I'm off to my counsellor this morning, had originally been thinking I wouldn't need to see her for too much longer but have been so emotional this week so will talk things over with her.

The weather is forecast to be nice this weekend but is looking a bit gloomy at present.  Here's hoping it brightens up and the sun shines on us all.  Take care  Hope x

Hi Hope

Hope you visit to the counsellor was helpful and its good for you to be able to talk things through and this should last as long as you need it.

I have just returned from visiting Mum and she was ok though I am sure a little concerned at how long she will be able to stay where she.  She has amazed the staff at how forthright she was when social worker 'interviewed' her and they are left in no doubt as to what she wants. All the care staff came to see me whilst I was visiting to make sure I was okay too - very sweet.  I stayed until she was due to go into lunch and we even managed a bit of a laugh when I showed her latest photos of her great grandson.  He has really enjoyed his first week in Reception and keeps telling his mum that his teacher is the most beautiful one in the school!!

Hubby and I picked him up from school on Friday as my daughter had to return to hospital for a second day of tests and monitoring.  Specialist blood tests with regard to her liver function have been sent off and unless she hears otherwise she returns to clinic next Friday.  The last set of bloods were borderline but all readings for the baby were good.  If the new blood tests show certain 'rises' she may have to be taken in and possibly induced (she is now 37 weeks and would probably welcome is being over and done with!!).  Anyway so far so good.  I have an overnight bag ready and waiting and she has several friends on standby to get her to the hospital if her hubby is at work.  Mind you she is still driving herself at present!!

When we met our grandson at school (its only 10mins to his home) he told Grandad that he could meet us there as it was healthier to walk!!!  My hubby's face was a picture as he drove off and I walked the little tyke home!!

Life's stresses seem to come and go but having the forum to offload certainly helped me to see things in perspective this week though I think my mood swings are more due to hormones than current circumstances.

Sounds like your eldest having a great time during Freshers but will no doubt be looking forward to some home cooking.  Have a great weekend with the family and will catch up again soon.  All the best and look after yourself. Jules xx

Hi Jules,

Thanks for your lovely, kind words.  Thank goodness for this site!  I know nobody can take away the pain but it is just good to have support.  I have to remind myself that it is still early days, only 3 months tomorrow since Mum died, and I miss them so much especially this time of year. Now I am just trying to enjoy my own wonderful family and be happy for what we have.

Lovely to hear how well your grandsons are doing.  It is great that you read and play with your eldest so much, that will really help with his development at school.  Only too often we see secondary children struggling to read who have not been reading enough through primary.  I hope hubby's new prescription will see him improve his mood, very difficult for him and you.   I guess they will take a couple of weeks to work, but hopefully they will kick in and help to make him more upbeat by Christmas.  I'm sure the "little ones" will be the best drug, they can surely lift spirits better than any pill.  Take care and have a good weekend.  Hope xx

Hi Jules,

Thanks for your kind words. So pleased you had a good time with your mother, it must make a lot of difference.  It's good your gp has told your husband to get mobile for he will probably take more notice than if you had said it. It must be hard for him not being able to work and that he feels such a lack of incentive, but it's also even harder for you as you feel unable to help. I am pleased your daughter understands your situation and is such a support to you.

I have just got back from seeing my gp. My psa had gone up from 0.01 to 0.23 over the last six months. He read the letter out to me which he had received from the consultant at the hospital saying it would increase as the hormone flushes out of my system. He has told me he will arrange the next psa test for four months time so that he can monitor it.  I also wanted to see him as my left breast has been a little tender for the past couple of weeks. This is yet another side effect of the hormone therapy but I have been surprised it has taken this long to show up. But he explained it may be that  it is as a result of interaction with a tablet I have to take so no worries.

Hope you enjoy your son's visit and that you enjoy your trip to London with your friend. You fully deserve a little me time.

Jules, you never ramble and I always enjoy reading your posts for they are always well written

Do take care, and I have no doubt we will talk again soon. Best wishes to you and your family, Brian..

Hi Brian, Jules and Hope

Hope all is well with you.

Hope I noticed you attended the Hospice Memorial Service on Sunday.  I am sure it was a very emotional time for you all especially at this time of year.  I now have a chesty cough that I cannot get rid of.

Taking strong cough medicine and my honey and lemon as prescribed by my GP a few years ago when I lost my voice but to no avail.

Brian I read that Mrs B had a diabetic turn.  Hope she is keeping OK and is back on her feet very soon again looking after that man in her life.

Jules hope you too are keeping well and hubby and baby and the rest too.  Is the birthday party this weekend or next I can't remember?  My hubby wants me to go shopping this Saturday in the city centre.  I prefer to go on my own as I enjoy my own company.  I told him wait and see how I feel when the time comes but I probably will end up having to go with him.

Well take care everyone and chat soon

Mickied

Hi Mickied,

Sorry to hear that you have the dreaded chesty cough, I do hope it doesn't linger like my bug did a few weeks back.  Coughs seem to go on for a while and then just go without us really noticing, but they are such a pain at night keeping you awake aren't they?

Yes the memorial service was very emotional and I've been a bit emotional since; this time of year doesn't help as well as the dismal weather and the early darkness this time of year.  Still, have to try and remember all the positives in our lives eh!  Hope all is OK with you.  Wishing you a nice weekend and happy shopping on Saturday.  Hope xx

Hi Hope,

I gather you found things rather emotional this last week.

Although you found yourself to be emotional I bet you are glad you had the service.

I hope you had a lovely day meeting up with your friends, sometimes it helps us to get out of ourselves and gives a little relief.

I had a good day on Tuesday taking 3 friends shopping where they had not been before and apart from losing Jenny for a little while all was good fun.

For me it was good to go somewhere else and get away, as well as the shopping.

I hope you are looking after yourself Hope,  you have been through so much this year.

Take care

Annabel. xx

Hi Annabel,

Thank you for your kind post.  Yes I have been emotional this week, I guess it is combination of the service, time of year etc.  I still got out with friends which was nice, it does help to temporarily take away the grief if only for a short while.  Glad you had a good shopping trip, hope you managed to treat yourself to something nice.  Take care.  Hope xx

Jules, Good morning, hope you are OK?  Hope xx

Hi Hope

Thanks for the reply.  You are right about this time of year.  I felt the same way this time last year with a chest infection the week before my father-in-law passed away.

His first anniversary is next Wednesday and you start to relive what happened back then.  My husband seems to be coping OK until next week that is because he was at the hospital with him shortly before he died.

I wish you too a nice weekend and chat soon

Mickied

Hi Brian

Pleased to read that your gp was able to put your  mind at rest with regards  your psa results as well as the side effects you are getting being caused by interaction with other medication.  Such a fine line to keep you well but good to know your medics on top of things. Hope you wife is keeping okay at the moment.  You both must have to have eagle eyes when choosing food items.  My son's girlfriend is lactose intolerent so when they visit I do a choice of desserts so that she does not have to bring her own pud (her suggestion was to bring the dessert with her to save any trouble) but these days there is always a viable alternative (once I found the correct aisle to look down.

My son popped in for a few hours and was still here when I got in from work so we caught up on all his news and was able to give him our gift for his other half's birthday. He begins his new  job as an adminstration/marketing assistant to a Research Professor  at Brunel Uni on Monday and is really looking forward to the challenges it will bring.  Also pleased to be going back to mon to fri working after several years doing shifts.

Hubby has picked up new anti depressant medication today so will see how that works out.  He had a call from his old employers today with a query for him to look at for them so for a little while had something to keep him occupied.   Tonight we are  both out as is usual on a Friday and then tomorrow my sister in law is visiting for dinner so have done all the preparation in advance so I can have a sit down tomorrow morning.

Hope you enjoyed your time with the grandchildren (think you changed it to yesterday because of school event) and no doubt your cheeky grandson was on good form.  When my hubby picked up our eldest grandson from school on Monday he was apparently letting him know when there was no traffic coming whilst they were waiting at the junction to the main road just in case his grandad did not notice there was a big red bus coming!!!

After a very frustrating day at work yesterday (lack of staffing main issue which led to so much pressure I felt really stressed) was pleased to get away and had to have a small chocolate bar to help me get me smiling again in time to get home.  Hey ho.

Hope you and your wife have a peaceful and happy weekend.  Take care  Jules x

Hi Hope

Am sure you are still feeling pretty emotionally drained so do try and get some R&R over the weekend.  Sometimes its hard to accept that we need that family support when we like to 'manage' it all ourselves ( is that something that comes from being 'an only child' with no siblings to share things with I wonder.?)

I had one of those stressful days at work (not enough staff, not enough hours in the day) and in the end my emotions got the better of me and I had to have a 10min time out to get myself together.  Has not happened for a little while but I know its my body's way of telling me its all getting a bit on top of me.  Lucky my workmates can read me all too well and I was able to chat it through and  was feeling a bit more like myself by the time I left work (despite being a bit red-eyed!!).  Any how comforted myself with a chocolate bar on the tube on the journey home and gave myself a silent talking to so today is a slightly less frustrating day.

Hubby has a new prescription for anti depressants and the GP wants to see him in a month to see if they are helping him cope with not having work in his life.  Its very hard for him being at home 24/7 even though he is still  mobile and can drive, has no interests/hobbies that were home based (sea fishing was his relaxation holiday!!). Huge adjustments required for both of us and think hes finding it difficult that I am coping (as far as he is concerned).  Thankfully, like you, we have close family support.

Have a peaceful weekend and chat again soon.  Virtual hugs  Jules xx

Hi Mickied

Hope you have had a reasonable week and know like many of the people on the forum, this time of year is extremely emotional for you.  Just wanted you to know you are being kept in my thoughts and thank you for being there over the months when I have needed to ramble on.  Take care my virtual friend and wishing you and the family a peaceful weekend.  Jules x

Hi Mickied

Hope you have had a reasonable week and know like many of the people on the forum, this time of year is extremely emotional for you.  Just wanted you to know you are being kept in my thoughts and thank you for being there over the months when I have needed to ramble on.  Take care my virtual friend and wishing you and the family a peaceful weekend.  Jules x

Hi Jules

Only saw your message now as we were allowed to leave the office early on Friday.  Thank you for your kind thoughts Jules and you have enough on your own plate to contend with but you always make time for others.  You are another asset on this forum.

Youngest one keeps pestering me about Christmas decorations and then when someone else in the street put theirs up she said it is far too early.  My husband says she is getting more and more like me.

Hope you enjoyed your day out with your friend catching up with each other and that well deserved bottle must come in handy after a good chinwag.

Take care Jules and chat soon

Mickied

Hi Everyone,

Hope you dont mind a joint response (save everyone reading repetitive chat).

Enjoyed my 'awayday' yesterday.  Met my friend on the train at 9.30 and got home at 5p.m.  Enjoyed wondering the shops (amazing to see so many of the shops with their sales on already) and solved all but one of my Mum's Christmas shopping list (much relieved to get that done).  Had coffee and cake mid-morning (healthy eating went to pot for the day!!) and had a bit of fun trying on clothes in the designer shops - great fit, loved them, put them back (prices totally prohibitive even in the sale).  So many different food outlets but we chose Indian as my friend loves it but her husband doesn't so she rarely has it and I have not been out for a restaurant meal in ages (more to come pre Christmas though).  Did not feel the need for alcohol but enjoyed a day away from the stresses of work.  Had to laugh when I got home as both of us found we had something in common (she sent me a text!!) we both had washing up waiting in the sink for our return.  Well, almost the perfect day.  Really enjoyed buying gifts for everyone and even treated myself to some silly festive socks which should make the children laugh on Christmas Day!!!

Thanks for all your ongoing support; its so much appreciated having somewhere to turn to both when I am down in the dumps or just wanting to share.  Take care of yourselves and have a peaceful week. hugs to all Jules xx

Hi Jules,

So pleased to hear you had an enjoyable day out yesterday, you so deserve it. I had to smile about what both you and your friend found when you got home. All I can say is that's men for you but I can tell you I would have received a severe ear bending if that had been me.

We are only returning the support that you give to so many on here Jules, I am just pleased that you feel it helps.  When I took my wife to our local chemist the other day they had a wide range of winter socks including the sort you mention  I now have a vision of you wearing these festive socks and your grandson and family in fits of laughter.

I hope his birthday party goes well and you all have a great party.

Take care, best wishes to you and your family, Brian.

Morning Jules,

It's great you had a relaxing and theraputic girls day out. I had mine too yesterday and like you we stopped for coffee and cake before we did any damage to the walllets.

I have to say for many a year I have preferred shopping in small towns with individual shops where I can often find individual things. Yesterday was good because I managed to find some reasonably priced gifts that were just that bit different. Hope the recipients like them.

Just having time out with a good friend is what is often important. we stopped for lunch in a cafe and ended up ordering the same thing for lunch. We got back alittle earlier than you but then we had done some supermarket boring shopping at the end and had had enough. Got home just before it went dark.

Hope your day today is a good one.

I am off to walk the dog down to coffee morning in the village to catch up with local friends.

Speak soon

hugs

Annabel. xx

Morning Brain,

I can see by your post you have been brought up very well by your wife. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  lol.

I hope you are both well and in fine heart at the moment.

I loved seeing your wood turning, it's one of those things I would love to do, but have never had the time . He ho.

hugs

Annabel. xx

Good morning Annabel,

Glad to hear you also had a good day out for just like our Jules you so deserve it.

Have been out in my garage again this morning turning some mantle clocks, (I buy the clocks as inserts). Am just going back again but have attached a couple of photos of the Square/ Round picture frames I turn. Will talk again soon. Take care Brian.

Click on picture to enlarge them

[[]]

Hi Annabel

Nice to hear from you and good that you too enjoyed another day of retail therapy.  Once I get paid at the end of the month I can sort out the cash gifts and then I am done as far as the family is concerned.  It will  be a good feeling.  Am hoping my Mum is happy with what I have purchased on her behalf (too late now) when I go to see her next (probably Tuesday as long as I do not have to work). We are out at different social events this weekend which I am looking forward to (hopefully  hubby is too).  Seeing our grandson celebrate his 5th birthday will be the highlight and he has been so good at school he managed to get another 'star' on his class chart so is very excited.  Baby Zack doing really well (over 12lb already - loves his milk!!) and quite long so is already outgrowing 0-3mnths (he is only 6weeks old)!!  Very much like his brother was at a similar age.

Hope you enjoyed your dog walking and catching up with friends. Also hope you managing to relax as I know you said your business will be pretty busy again soon.  Take care and chat again soon.  Hugs.Jules x

Hi Brian

did I not say that Ibought 'silly socks' for other members of the family too - if we are all laughing at each other's feet then I will be one happy shopper and it will be a very good start to our celebrations.

Hope  you and your wife are keeping well and no doubt you have been kept busy with wood club activities.  Thought of you when I was out yesterday as they had street vendor selling roast chestnuts and had visions of you taking over and wheeling it away to enjoy!!  Allth very best for a peaceful weekend and hope to chat again soon. Jules x

Hi Jules,

Glad to read you had a lovely day out with your friend recently. Dare say things are getting a bit exciting for your eldest grandson as his birthday approaches. Hope hubby is feeling a bit better and that the new tablets are beginning to kick in. Have a great birthday party at the weekend. Hope xx

Thanks Hope. I am still in awe at all the support we all recieved on the forum.  We are getting busier at work which comes with its own stress but on the other hand I get to talk to people and it makes the time pass.  Have a few busy days ahead as am out on Friday (bingo - hubby to pub with his mate), Saturday (haircut - really be happy to get this done as its driving me mad and have now been paid so that will help), after lunch we are visiting our friends' daughter and son in laws to see their  new bungalow and catch up with their news  (being a bone cancer sufferer in remission the son in law is very supportive of us both and we are looking forward to seeing them.  Then Sunday we will be at the 5th birthday party (his birthday is actually tomorrow but he will be at school and then out for tea with the family).  I have just got to remember to get the helium balloon so sit by his cake and then enjoy being a babysitter, with all the other grandparents, as up to 30 children have a whale of a time!!! Think Monday at work may well feel like a rest.

Hubby is so so at present, no real change other than getting more indigestion so we are trying smaller meals. The doc has told him to get walking as this will help rather than spending all day sitting down - no sign of this when I am about but he is doing the physio for his arms on a daily basis.  I know it takes a while for anti depressants to kick in so we will be monitoring things.  He is back at the GP 23rd Dec for check up on his medication but hopefully s he will be able to see some improvement. Its just so hard for him to accept he cannot work and he does not seem to be able to get past this yet.

Enough of me, how are you doing? Hope all the family are well and no doubt  your sons are studying hard too.  Take care  and sending virtual hugs and best wishes for a peaceful weekend.  Jules xx